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Saturday, 31 October 2009

Happy Halloween! It's not my thing, so am shying away from ghosts and vampires...but two things that aren't too ghoulish are these pices from Burberry A/W09 at my-wardrobe. So much for this 'Indian Summer' we were promised this week, and my mind has wandered back to the old days of Autumnal school trips.

I really like the practicality but super stylishness of this blue nylon tote with black leather trim and handles. I am forever after weekend/away-day bags and this is perfect at £150.

I used wear duffel coats when I was a kid but from the now uber chic country brand Barbour in a light-charcoal grey. This is a super-grown up version in navy kirkland wool with leather trimmed branded toggles with a super-grown up price; £495.

Friday, 30 October 2009

Do you know your Pucci from your Primark? Or do you get your Lanvin mixed with your Balenciaga?

In celebration of its new online store, Harvey Nichols has launched an online fashion quiz! Was such fun! I got 9/10, and for those who get 70% or more - including me - get 10% off mens and womens range until Sunday!

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Rokit has long been a destination (and a savior) for vintage affectionardo's but the Aladdin's cave of period pieces is making new from the inspiration of the old.

Rokit are now stocking a range of British handmade shoes, in two-tone and plain brogues and penny loafers, and LA made hats from Baileys Hat Company, from trilby's to bowlers.

What I love about the shoe range is their real quality - just look at the stitching on the sole rims! I have a feeling that these have been made by Northampton maker Loake due to some identifying factors I'm familiar with.

The shoes will be available in sizes 7-11 and the hats in a range of fittings from the Brick Lane, E1; Camden, NW1 and Covent Garden, WC2 as well as online at Rokit's Online Store.

Here are a few select pieces from the new Jimmy Choo/H & M collaboration that will reach stores on November 14th. It seems there are more ready-to-wear pieces than shoes. What do you think of it all? I am a little disappointed with the collection but there are some pieces I want to snap up straight away.

Black Leather Jacket - £79.99, $299.00, e249.00With a nod to the shape and look of Belstaff, I think this will be a hit!

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

I am all for pushing things - manually and metaphorically - and boundaries of fashion is one of them.

London is refreshingly rife with fashionistas and labels breaking barriers and bending rules about dress and style so it is good to see new menswear label Segreto doing just that.

Segreto launches this November at a decent enough price point, pieces start at £65, and the range is entitled 'Kink Excite' and from the pics you can probably see why. You will probably agree it's a brave and bold statement and I can see a broad appeal of the label...

According to the blurb, Segreto has a...'range of seven looks forms the journey of a man whose confidence and mood increases...'....' each look is versatile and ready to both attract and exude attention - all with boundless energy'.

Doesn't it sound fun?! I like the white scoop neck tee, vest and the black with electric pink print the most - really captures my mood at-the-moment. Make of that what you will!

Monday, 26 October 2009

I don't know what it is with the Union Jack design but I LOVE it! Internet shopping at the weekend I spotted this range of Aspinal of London 'Cool Britannia' toiletry and cosmetic cases.But I really think the pouches can be amazing little change purses? Prices start at £39 - a lot cheaper than my usual favourite super lux brand Smythson.

If you, like me, have a taste for all things Apple then this my dear fashionista readers is for you! My MacBook that I tap, tap, tap away on was white! But with me just throwing it in my Longchamp satchel has become, well, a little grey...Though today, news has reached me that Mulberry is to join a range bags for Apple's MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPod and iPod Nano. All the designs, such as the divine and iconic Bayswater, keep their exterior to what we know and carry but have inside padding, phone and music player pockets and little holes for headphones! Genius right?

The range will include mens and womens styles with prices starting at £150. All will be available from Mulberry and Apple and Selfridges, Oxford Street, London from November 1st.

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Who would have thought that next time you trek to Outer Mongolia, you will find a Louis Vuitton store? Well having announced to put the far-flung region on the fashion map, LVMH have announced that LV has seen a rise in sales in the nine-months to September 30th.

However, LVMH over-all has seen a group drop in sales of 3% in the three month to the said date, as other brands suffered a poor wholesale performance. But it has been the announced opening of the China store and the launch of fine jewelry line that has helped profits tick along nicely and keep overall sales reach £10.9 billion.

Monday, 19 October 2009

After my short stay in hospital, hence no blogging - the price of internet in wards is about 20p a minute! - I caught up on emails and some 'getting better' therapy. Asos.com have their mid-season sale on at the moment and I'm already found some pieces for my SS10 wardrobe....

Comme des Garcon shirt from £285 to £133! I love the whole dip-dye thing to wear as a semi-smart shirt to mix things up a bit!

My obsession with sneakers is unhealthy, so was sUper pleased to find these Asos Life ones reduced from £25 to £15! They have them in blue but I'm feeling this damson shade at the moment.

Having never seen Villain on Asos.com, I found these city shorts by chance reduced from £84 down to £35!

What's more I used the code "STANDARD" to get free delivery, and if you use the code "ASOSGRAZIA" to get 25% off full priced items you can shop even more, guilt free!

Saturday, 10 October 2009

So I returned from Paris on Thursday, and having slept for what seems like a blissful eternity...I am back. I had such a great time in the city, even though I was working 13/14 hour days. Though my boss let me have the day off of Wednesday and I went for a little wander to Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore and Avenue Montaigne. For those who have never been, Avenue Montaigne is quite wide and much like Sloane Street in London, with a mix of restaurents, stores, embassy's...and Rue Faubourg is very odd as it is very narrow and has a mis-mash of cafes, restaurants, stores, hotels...and not all nice ones!

I absolutly loved the store window design at Louis Vuitton on the Champs Elysees with the old packing boxes and the dummies horsing around on them.

Ahhh, the original Dior store on Avenue Montaigne which is absolutely massive. The uber chic design houses the full range of mens and women's ready-to-wear, beauty, accessories and homeware (I never knew they did homeware). The staff are an absolute delight and are really happy to welcome poeple like me just having a wander around the beautiful store. The current Dior Homme collection features the genius t-shirt printed with 'Can I speak to Mr. Dior Please?'. Love it!

::Dear God, When I die, please send me to Hermes and not Heaven :: The Hermes flagship store is just incredible! I mean I was speachless when I entered. It has every department of Hermes possible including the equestrian range and the full homeware range. Oh, how I long to live in a world of Hermes. The store is huge to say the least, and is worth at-least an hours visit just looking.

Many people presume that the original Chanel store is on Place de Vendome, but it is here on Rue de Cambon. I was getting a little exhausted by this point and stopped for a coffee opposite the store. As I was admiring the architecture the clothes through the upper showroom windows, a Sushi delivery man arrived and went in, coming out empty handed...now that is service!

When in Paris...go to Goyard. I didn't enter but this is a stunning store with the old trunks outside. Quoted as being more exclusive than Louis Vuitton, and an exclusive sister of Hermes, Goyard is undoubtedly the prettiest shop on the road.

Friday, 2 October 2009

Ah mon amis, such a beuatiful day here in Paris as the sun is shining and after a night out with Bryan Boy I am absolutely exhausted! At 23, I swear I am getting too old for this sort of thing!

So today the London Show Rooms open with the likes of Henry Holland - who I saw at dinner last night in the Marais - Kokon to Zai and Fashion East. Situated near the Champs-Élysées the JTW Gallery, 40 Rue de Richelieu, is spread over nemerous floors and rooms with a whole host of delectable designs to lust over. It is such an amazing space and it was great seeing the London crowd particually Pelayo of Kate Loves Me.

In between a bit of lunch on the Rue de Rivoli and working, I jumped on the chance to drop into the Unconditional showroom.

Their collection this season is AM-AY-ZING (in the words of Rachel Zoe) and I love the pieces below...

Black wool tuxedo jacket with silk detailed lapel and shoulder ruffled piping. Such a stunning piece that I really want...

There are some small obsessions I have in life, such as designer packaging, sneakers and watches, so imagine my excitment at these two images sent to me last night. The uber cool cult brand, Swatch, is set to launch its Chrono Automatic Collection on October 15th.

What I love about the line is its challenge to the high-end brands that are well, a little gaudy. The difference with these Swatches is that they are contemporary enough for every day wear yet are in keeping with the classic aesthetic of chronograph with their dial features such as the stop-clocks and second dial.

Apparently, they are going to be at a reasonable price-point that also challenges the high-end market which is great for these tough times. I was speaking to the agent for Girl About L.A Town designer Raquela Allegra here in Paris, discussing that a lot of high-street to middle-end brands are stepping up their game and challenging the designer market with good design and exceptional price points.

There are five Chrono Automatic watches in the line, which makes me wonder...which one, if not all, do I pick? Personally, so far, the black one above is getting me all in a tizz!

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